Editor’s Note: While we sincerely hope that Arizona is able to avoid a teacher strike, we at the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth have been reporting on the desperately needed support for education in our State for years now. We recognize that we all make choices and get what we pay for. For us in Arizona, that has meant being 49th in the Nation for elementary teacher pay, failing infrastructure and teacher shortages in the thousands. The current climate is not just about supporting teachers- which is crucial and past due- it is about the VALUE we place on having an educated and ready future generation. We support teachers, schools, administrators, families, and our elected leaders as we call for all Arizonans to work together to begin the healing and necessary change that our State requires. We applaud the improvements that have been made recently while we recognize the work we have yet to do. Our children require that we do not turn this into an us against them battle. Every single Arizonan, family, business and entity has a stake in how this issue resolves.

PHOENIX – On day six of the teacher walkout, the Arizona House of Representatives and Senate both passed an education budget bill which includes Gov. Doug Ducey’s plan of 20 percent teacher pay raises by 2020.

The bill then went to Gov. Doug Ducey who signed it almost immediately.

“Signed,” Ducey tweeted. “Teacher raises are on the way.”

But teachers at the Capitol Thursday morning are not happy, saying it’s not enough. They’re already preparing for November.